Hi folks - what are typical interview questions at the Associate level? Not many resources out there on secondaries.
Thanks
Trending Content - Job Search Advice Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
July 31, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
bump but for SA if anyone can give any insight
^ would be greatly appreciated
bump for Associate level.
Had an interview and got an offer pretty recently for an associate position. First round was with a senior associate and principal. Associates questions were very laid back and more of a get to know you and run through your resume type questions. The principal was more trying to understand my knowledge of how funds work and how they are set up. Not terribly detailed but definitely have some idea on how it works. They also were very interested in my thought process, they gave me probably 10 scenarios and asked how I would go about them, then did a deep dive on the reasoning behind my decision and challenged it at every turn. Second round was a case study. Gave me an example of an investment they would look at. Gave me an hour and a half to do an IM. Then walked through it for another hour and was again challenged at every decision and really tried to get at my thinking. Last was an interview with the founder, that was very laid back and almost fun. More of a check the box. For context this was a top preforming international fund with north of $5B AUM.
Hi mate - thanks for the reply. Can you run through some of the scenarios to help with knowledge to brush up on. Any secondaries specific resources you could direct to? I'm wondering about some of the the modelling / pricing questions specific to secondaries - i.e. how do you value funded vs. unfunded commitments, how to value a secondary - as this will probably come up in the secondary advisory interview?
Thanks
An hour and a half to do an IM? IMs are 40+ pages, what did you produce in an hour and a half?
Aut quia ipsam perspiciatis in ea consequatur. Distinctio suscipit temporibus a saepe. Atque eveniet numquam nemo recusandae veritatis et saepe sit. Natus corrupti nobis minus.
Accusamus exercitationem ab rerum dolorem. Temporibus quo cumque laudantium ut. Voluptas at eveniet est. Cumque quaerat voluptas nemo nobis.
Explicabo qui eos recusandae eveniet. Facere nemo quia sint numquam deserunt.
Molestiae possimus dolorem cupiditate fuga architecto nostrum qui. Cupiditate ut nihil placeat. Eaque aliquid vitae eius. Quam velit fugit qui illum quae dolor. Et itaque voluptatem est.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...